Machine for screwing together and unscrewing pipes and rods



m. M, mm, 15mm H. C. THRIFT MACHINE FOR SCREWING TOGETHER AND UNSCREWINGPIPES AND RODS Filed May 31 19 1 |L l l 2,2 Z 5 3 Z s W I \YIIJIIIIIfiWWVI/YA W /2, I

INV NTOR.- M a,

Patented ct. id, ldd.

HOMER C. THRIFT, 0F BURKBURNETT, TEXAS.

MACHINE FOR QCREWING TOG ETHER AND UNSCREWING PIPES AND DE.

Application filed May 31, 1921.

To a whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOMER C. THRIFT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Burkburnett, in the county of Wichita. and State ofTexas,-have invented certain new and useful Improvements in achines forSci-owing 'logcther and Unscrewing Pipes and ltods, oi which thefollowing is a specilication.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a machine forscrewing together and unscrewing pipes and rods.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine of the characterdescribed which is specially adapted for use in unscrewing the joints ofpipe or casing as the same is withdrawn from. abandoned wells.

Another object is to provide an inexpensive and simple machine adaptedfor easy application in the work of withdrawing pipe and easing fromabandoned wells where the ordinary appliances, used for unscrewing pipeor casings in well drilling, are not availableghowever, the machine maybe used generally for screwing together or unscrewing joints of rods,pipe or casing.

With the above and other objects in view the invention has particularrelation to certain novel features of construction, operation andarrangement of parts, an example of which is given in this specificationand illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a sectional View of the de vice as applied in unscrewingjoints of Well pipe or casing, and

Figure 2 shows a fragmentary plan View.

Referring now more particularly to'the drawings, the numerals l and 2designate the top and bottom plates of the casin which aresecuredtogether by means 0 set bolts, 3. These plates have vertically alignedopenings, to receive the pipe, and working between the plates there isthe ringlike sprocket wheel 4 concentric with said openings. The marginsof these plates are inwardly flanged, said flanges abutting as shown tospace the plates apart, thus providing a space for the sprocket wheelbetween them, and the plates have coincidin annular flanges which formbearings 5 an e which surround the sprocket wheel 4. The margin of thewheel 4 is shouldered inwardl on each side, forming the grooved shoulers 7 7 arranged opposite the raceway rings 8, ,8, which are seatedagainst the Serial No. erases.

mitting rotation from the latter to theformer there is a sprocket chain15.

The device is fastened to a supporting mast 16, by means of suitablecables or rods 17, which are attached to the eye-bolts carried by thetop plate of the casing. Pipe grlpping jaws 19, 19 are arranged on opposite sides of said pipe or casing and rest on the inner margin of theplate 2 as shown in Figure 1. These jaws are arcuate in form and theirinner sides are serrated. Their outer sides are formed with arcuatenotches or bearings 20 and the inner wall of the sprocket wheel 4; isformed of similar opposing arcuale notches, or bearings 21. A space isthus formed for the reception of roller bearings 22 which cause the jawsto contract around and engage with the upper section of pipe when thesprocket Wheel is rotated.

The casing is held against rotation by means of suitable wires 23. Thepipe beneath the upper section is held against rotation by any suitable,and well known,

means for this purpose and the upper sec tion being turned, asexplained, will be unscrewed and may be removed. The pipe is thenelevated to bring another section into position to be unscrewed and theprocess, above explained, is repeated and the string of pipe is thusbroken up, joint by joint.

The device may also be used for screwing together and unscrewing jointsof pipe and rods whereever located and for any purpose desired.

What I claim is j 1. A device of the character described, including acasing having an openingito receive a pipe, a rin -like rotary membertherein, through whie the pipe is adapted to extend, means for rotatingsaid member, pipe engagin jaws carried by the casing, each jaw an theopposing face of said member being formed with arcuate notches, bearingslocated in the respective notches,

through which the jaws are contracted around the pipe when said memberis rotated.

2. A device of the character described, including a casing formed ofupper and lower plates spaced apart and formed with openings to receivea pipe, a rotary ring-like member within the casing and provided with acentral opening, through which the pipe is adapted to pass, means forrotating said member, arcuate pipe gripping jaws seated on the lowerplate, and roller bearings interposed between the respective jaws andthe rotary member which contract the jaws into engagement with the pipeand also look them to rotate with said member when the latter isrotated.

A device of the character described including a casing having an openingto receive a pi e, a ring-like rotary member therein throug which thepipe is adapted to extend, means for rotating said member, a pluralityof pipe engaging jaws mounted in the casing, and means through whichsaid jaws are contracted into en agcment with the pipe when the rotarymemer is rotated in either direction.

4. A device of the character described including a casing havin anopening to receive the pipe, a rin -like rotary member therein, throughwhich the pipe is adapted to extend, means for rotating said member aplurality of pi e. engaging jaws carried by the casing an means betweeneach jaw and said member, and actuated by the latter as it operates, andoperating to contract said jaws into engagement with the pi e, thecooperating parts of said means an jaws being so formed that the jawswill be contracted when said member is rotated in either direction.

5. A deviceof the character described including a casing having anopening to receive a pipe, a ring-like rotary member therein, throughwhich the pipe is ada ted to extend, means for rotating said mem r, aplurality of pipe engaging jaws mounted within the rotary member, andmeans interposed between each jaw and said rotary member, and operatingto contract the jaws around the'pipe when the rotary member is rotated,sald means being of such forma tion that the jaws will be contractedwhen the rotary member is rotated in either direction.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribmgHwitnesses.

OMER C. THRIFT. Witnesses: v T. H. GRENNELL,

H. G. BURNm'.

